The Absolution of Aidan(49)
I know I shouldn’t be relieved, but I am. You would also think I would know all this. These guys have had my back the last week, taking care of most of the details in my absence.
“Any idea where he could be?” John strolls in. I respect the hell out of this man. He’s a legend in a league of his own. To sum it up in one word, he was the BEST. Still is, but when it comes to his wife Cecily, his daughter Calla, and his cute little granddaughter, or any woman for that matter, he’ll come out of retirement, pull his trigger, and blow anyone’s head off.
“Like I’ve said before, it’s been years since I talked to him. Even then, I only spoke to him when I had to. His entire life he’s been groomed to take over his father’s shady car dealerships. Those morons who lost him said he went to work every day. Even his phone calls were monitored. So basically, no, I have no idea where he could be.” And I don’t. The only answer any of us can come up with the entire time we stay at the warehouse is that somehow, we have a mole. Another goddamn traitor, who told the little shit what the hell is going on. And more than likely, he knows exactly where Anna and her mother are.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
DEIDRE
“Be home soon. Stopping to get more clothes.” Yours truly has re-read this text at least one hundred times. Especially the ‘be home soon part.’ The instant I received this text from Aidan, I all but kicked my parents out the door. Now, here I lie in the middle of the bed, on top of my plum-colored comforter, pillow, and sheets, the smoothness from the cotton doing nothing to help cool my heated skin.
I gaze down at the sexy little number I purchased today. It’s stunning. Chemise and satin in the deepest emerald green. The peek-a-boo lace down the sides makes it even sexier. The kicker, the part I really love, is the way the shiny satin stretches across my breasts and ass. It’s curve-hugging and tight-fitting, and I want my man to love it.
Us girls made Dilan take a detour on the way home today to Calla’s favorite lingerie shop. The guy didn’t put up a fuss about it either. He stayed in the Suburban while we shopped. Which reminds me, I need to tell Aidan that I think Dilan has some sort of attraction towards Anna. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her the entire time we were there.
I love her, all of us do. Grace too. They fit right in. Anyone in their right mind would never want to hurt those two. They’ve been hurt enough. I haven’t pried, even though I really want to, to find out about the relationship between them and Ryan Drexler Senior. If Grace knew he had a family in Pennsylvania or not? Surely, she had to have. I’m not one to judge. That’s all between them, but my god, for someone to want to kill them over it. It’s despicable, really.
My theory breaks when I look up to the man I’m easily falling for standing in the doorway to my room with an even larger duffle bag in his hands than before. His eyes are roving up and down my half-naked body slowly. Seductively.
“My god, Deidre. I’m not sure if my legs can move. You are absolutely every wish come true. I’ve never seen anything more remarkably beautiful. Can I just stand here and look at you?” His voice is low, deeply husky. It ignites me, sends a surging, undulating vitality of excitement that rips and roars throughout every live part of my body.
He’s still standing there, staring at me like he cannot believe I’m real. My mind wanders, wondering precisely what the hell he’s doing.
“I would much rather you came closer if you have the need to keep looking at me.” My mouth may have spoken those words, but my hands skim down the middle of my body. The silky texture of the material feels lovely. But I know for a fact that Aidan’s touch feels so much better.
I watch him close the door silently before he whips around, flinging his t-shirt over his head. I’ve seen his bare chest many times, and I still go stark raving mad and out of control whenever I see it. He simply takes my breath away.
“I’ve had so many dreams about seeing you in bed waiting for me. Not once did I think they would come true. In a week’s time, you’ve changed me, made me want to be the man you deserve. The dad that little boy looks up to.” This man is showing me his sweet side, although his eyes are screaming something else. I’ve never seen them this dark. This challenging. I love the tough man he is, but I adore the sweet side of him just as much. This dirty side of him though, I may worship.
“For a man who says he doesn’t do romance, I would call you a liar if I didn’t know you like I do. You are that man, Aidan, and so much more. Don’t change the person you are. Not for me or for anyone. Be you. As far as Diesel goes, he already looks up to you. You’re the perfect dad. The perfect everything,” I whisper. He needs to know that all sides of him are remarkable. He’s everything. Our foundation.